thxfrthmmrs

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 14, 2014 -> 02:00 PM) Engel's speed tool is better than Thompson's. Thompson though, has an above average arm (just like Engel), and significantly more power. Both struggle with contact, raw hit tools. Thompson has proven more at yoinger ages per level. Saying the statement "couldn't be more inaccurate" is hyperbole. I'd rank Thompson higher too. As in Wite's statement that Thompson has far better tools than Engel, which I called "couldn't be more inaccurate". As I said, they have similar tools. One thing we are not looking at here is Engel has a stronger chance of staying in center, while Thompson has been long projected as a corner outfielder as his body matures. I think the fact that his defense has improved over the last couple of years in center has quiet down that notion, but I still believe Engel has better tools as a defender, and could offer more value in the future as a center fielder.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Nov 14, 2014 -> 10:08 AM) Again, some of the grades could be for when he watched those guys play, and having conservative grades on things is not a bad thing. Dewon Day supposedly had an 80 slider but we obviously never saw that and he didn't do anything in the majors. Had they called it a 50 or a 60 with flashes of 80, nobody would have thought differently. He mentions that those pitches can be great, but they are usually not. That's just fine. Also, Thompson has put up far better numbers than Engel and has far better tools. It's really not even close. Also, Thompson has spent 5 years in the White Sox minor league system compared to the 2 for Engel and Thompson is still just 9 months older than Engel. Thompson has proven he struggles with contact, but he's still also going to be 24 and likely heading to Charlotte, whereas Engel will be 23 and heading to high A, where Thompson was playing - 3 years ago. I am not even a big Thompson fan, but saying that Thompson and Engel are comparable prospects is crazy. I don't think either statements are true. If you adjust their stats based on their age vs competition, Thompson does have the advantage in that department, but not by a wide margin. As far as tools go, the statement couldn't be more inaccurate. Outside of their hit tool, Engel has some of the best tools of anyone in the system, and has been compared to Mike Trout without the bat. While the comparison is a bit of a reach, it's been well documented that he's a plus plus runner with plus range in center. Both tools are superior to what Thompson has to offer. I believe he also brings an above average arm and above average raw power to the table as well. It's also worth pointing out Engel was rated as one of the best athletes in the entire 2013 draft. At the end of the day, I agree with McDaniel's rank for Engel, but I don't see how Thompson is being ranked so high when he brings the same tools and flaws to the table as Engel, but has not made much progress in the past 3 years.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Nov 13, 2014 -> 07:27 PM) Oh my goodness jesus H christ. So in a little over an hour, we've got Davis surpassing peak KG, Hakeem, Duncan and being more valuable going forward than a top 5 player of all-time, injury proof, physical marvel and the greatest offensive wing talent of all-time? #soxtalk The fact that he's top 5 player (still debatable) player of all time speaks more on his overall body of work and his career accomplishments. You can't deny that he will not be the best player in the league in the near future.

Very informative article, but he's definitely conservative on his tool grades and future projections. Many reports call Rodon's slider an 70/80 pitch ever since he started pitching as a pro. McDaniel has it as a 65/70 pitch. Same with Micah's base running, when healthy, he's closer to 80 runner than the 65 suggested. And I think if Danish, Adams, or Montas makes the majors, they will be better than #4 starters. The fact that he ranked Thompson so high and yet also trashes Engel for his hit tool also suggests flawed logic here. They are essentially the same player with the same tools and same flaws.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 13, 2014 -> 12:40 PM) I'm still taking Lebron or Durant. If I am choosing my franchise cornerstone from here on out, I don't see how you can pick Lebron or Durant over AD. Durant is a finished product and Lebron is set to decline in a year or 2. OTOH Davis is growing like crazy and no one knows what his potential could be. AD is already a force on offense with his athleticism and would only get better with refined post moves. On defense, he will likely win 3-4 DPOY before he retires, that's what separates him from Durant. All the talks of closing games is not merited either. I could see AD getting the ball at the end of games. He's already won a game at the last second this year on a play called for him. It's not like he's Shaq or Howard who you can hack or trap in the post to take them out of the equation. He will be more effective in that role once he develops a more reliable offensive game.

QUOTE (Brian @ Nov 13, 2014 -> 06:12 PM) AD will be better than Duncan when he retires. /runs and hides Better stats, PER, WARP? Yes. But a lot of Duncan's legacy lies on his postseason success and overall playoff appearances. I can't see AD touching that.

What would peak Anthony Davis look like?

I guess the days of advanced stats are here? Felix has slight advantage in traditional stats, but Kluber wins out bWAR and fWAR easily. It's either that or much of voting is done based on park factor.

KING KLUBER

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Nov 12, 2014 -> 04:07 PM) $17.5 mill for a DH. I am not upset they did not sign him. Given the minor inflation between now and 4 years ago, the number is close to the Adam Dunn contract. Not that Dunn lived up to that contract by any means.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 12, 2014 -> 03:31 PM) Son of a.... Well that's embarrassing, since I wrote the frigging AAP thread in the first place. Not sure why I thought he was Korean. My bad. Carry on. Lol yep, I just fact checked you from a post you've written yourself http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major...rom_South_Korea FWIW, there were only 2 position players from South Korea in MLB history, Hee Seop Choi and Shin-Soo Choo. So I'd say we still have a 50% success rate here.

Bring me Yasmani Tomas and Chase Headley. Cabrera and Martin aren't bad options either. If all else fails, I think we end up with low cost projects like Rasmus and acquire another large contract via trade.

I think this might have been said as a spurred of the moment or was taken out of context. I fully expect him to retract of clarify those comments in the coming days.

4 years? I am happy to watch the deal blow up in their face. I am hoping it's for $20 mil per as well.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 12, 2014 -> 10:49 AM) Might be worth mentioning too... the Sox did once spend relatively significant money on a Korean prospect - $300k on pitcher Po-Yu Lin. He was a huge disappointment. Dude, clearly it says Lin's from Taiwan

QUOTE (chw42 @ Nov 11, 2014 -> 09:48 AM) I really think Derrick has matured over the past year. When he came back last year, he was god awful. He looks like a completely different player so far this year. Still explosive, just without the bricks and turnovers of last year. Hopefully, he stays healthy. As solid as he has been playing, I think Rose is definitely playing cautious and holding off an extra gear. Last night's game, I noticed that there are numerous occasions where after Detroit scores a basket, he just patiently brings the ball back up court, where the old Rose would have gotten the inbound pass quickly and race up court to beat everyone else for the basket. We might see that later on in the season or in the playoffs, but I feel like we aren't getting the full Rose yet.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Nov 11, 2014 -> 09:11 AM) I accepted that a while ago. However I do think his ego will get him back out there eventually. And when he does, a lot of money will be made for all. I just don't know how long he is gonna be happy doing red carpet/comic book writing/staying out of the public eye/movie jobs He will come back eventually, but it will be longer than any of us anticipated. I know I go apes*** to hear his entrance again, and hopefully he comes back in Chicago too. The product has been bad the last couple of months besides Rollins and Ambrose.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/yahoo-sports...-044543594.html It will be a while until we see Punk again, if ever.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 9, 2014 -> 05:13 PM) Thought he signed with Cleveland? It was according to Chris Broussard's sources

Watching Brooks pass the ball has been fun thus far.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Nov 8, 2014 -> 01:53 PM) Perhaps I haven't explained why I don't believe the Cavs are legit contenders this season, let me explain why. I have never said the Cavs aren't a deeply talented team, there's no doubt that they are. I don't they're ready to contend THIS year is because aside from LeBron and a few of the older role players, the Cavs main stars have zero playoffs experience, including their HC. You don't instantly become a playoffs hardened team in year 1. I might've exaggerated by saying the Cavs won't make the CFs, it's the East after all. They definitely wouldn't make it in the West, that's for sure. They have the pieces to be a championship team, it just won't happen instantly like some of you guys apparently think. The meaning is contender is ambiguous here. If they reach the Finals, they are legit contenders. I don't think anyone on these board is picking them to win the Finals over Spurs or several other teams in the West. As of now, both Cavs and Bulls are heavy favorites to reach ECF. If anyone thinks otherwise based on their starts so far, they are overreacting. As for who will that matchup, I like the Bulls chance better than ever, but I still think Cavs will win the series 6 times out of 10, when both teams are healthy.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Nov 8, 2014 -> 02:17 AM) RELAX Says the person who's already knocking the Cavs out of ECF. Guys, no one is betting against the Bulls here. I am saying the Bulls just have ways to go.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 7, 2014 -> 09:22 PM) They're playing two rookies a lot of minutes. I'm not really worried yet. A lot of our projected increase in talent lies on those guys. Our 3 biggest acquisitions were Gasol and the 2 rookies, plus return of Rose. People are raving that this would be the best Rose led Bulls team yet. But if rookies can't make a major impact this year, then I don't think we are actually better than years past. It's early, but I am saying that, we too, have a long way to go.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 7, 2014 -> 08:18 PM) Did I miss the Cavs missing multiple all-stars to injury? Noah returned tonight, yet we give up 115 to team worst offensive team in the league, and out rebounded once again. Even with Noah in the lineup this season, we've not been good in both areas. His knee issues are a real concern, and will be for most of the year, as is Rose's health. Yet people are already penciling Bulls in for ECF and knocking Cavs out. I think we should worry about ourselves first and foremost.

The homers on this board has been criticizing the Cavs for the start, but we look just as bad if not worse. For Christ's sake we have the easiest schedule to start the season in NBA history on paper. Yet we are barely winning games. Our hustle plays, rebounding, and defense are almost embarrassing thus far. Until we gain back our edge in grit and energy, we will be ripped apart by good teams.